Author: Stephen Barker

Christmas Tree Festival
6th–8th December 2024

Don’t miss out on our spectacular Christmas Tree Festival at St Stephen’s, opening at 2.30pm on Friday 6th December, and open from midday until 6.00pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December. Trees will be decorated by groups from within St Stephen’s Church alongside trees decorated by groups representing all parts of the wider community of our parish.

Everyone is warmly welcome to come along! There is no entry charge, although donations are welcome and will be divided between St Stephen’s Church and All Saints’ Community Larder project.

Congratulations to St Stephen’s Bellringers!

St Stephens bellringers have had a very successful year under the direction of Tower Captain, Jane Huxley, winning 3 cups in one year: The Canterbury District Call Change, the 6 Bell Striking Competition, and finally the Kent County 6 Bell championship today (Saturday). They do not remember when (or if ever) the Tower was in possession of all 3 cups at once!

Congratulations and thank you for calling us to worship to such a high standard each week!

Congratulations Rev. Sally Pickersgill!

Congratulations to Rev. Sally Pickersgill, who was ordained Deacon in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday morning.  Sally is, of course, known to all of us at St Stephen’s as she has been our Lay Reader for several years, but now she begins her new ministry as our Curate.

The Archbishop of Canterbury laying hands on Sally at the point of Ordination as a Deacon
The Church Hall being used for a meeting with presentation.

Agenda and Reports for the APCM 2024

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting is being held in church on Sunday 28th April 2024 at 12 noon in the Church Hall, following the Sung Eucharist. You can download the Agenda and Reports document below.

APCM2024Download
PCC 2023 final accountsDownload

St Stephen’s Choir singing in St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Our choir will be singing the services in St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Bury St Edmunds on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April. Music will include some of our favourite Easter anthems, as well as a celebration of Stanford’s music to mark 100 years since his death. The choir will be singing The Canterbury Service composed by our Organist and Choirmaster, Stephen Barker, at the Choral Eucharist on Sunday morning.

You can join the choir at any of their services on St Edmundsbury Cathedral’s YouTube channel.

For full details of the music being sung, see the trip page on this website.

Remembering Lady Loretta
13th century Anchoress enclosed at St Stephen’s

At Choral Evensong on Sunday 10th March, we will be remembering Lady Loretta, an Anchoress who was enclosed at St Stephen’s from 1221 until she died in 1266.

A Collect for Loretta

Hear us God our Saviour
that as we rejoice in the memory of your servant Loretta,
so may we be instructed by feelings of pious devotion.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, who lives and reigns
in the unity of the Spirit, ever one God.
Amen.

(Written by Rev. Dr Kevin Maddy, former Rector of St Stephen’s)

The Collect for Holy Women

Almighty Father,
you have built up your Church
through the love and devotion of your saints:
inspire us to follow the example of Lady Loretta,
that we in our generation may rejoice with her
in the vision of your glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

(from Common Worship)

For more information about Loretta, click here.

Choral Evensong for Peace
6pm Sunday 25th February

As the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine passes, join us for a special service of Choral Evensong Music, Readings and Prayers for Peace in Ukraine and other war-torn places around the world. Music sung by our choir will include ‘A Prayer for Ukraine’ by Mykola Lysenko.

Join us at 6pm in church and online.

Ash Wednesday
Wednesday 14th February 2024

This year, Lent begins on Wednesday 22nd February. We will be marking Ash Wednesday with two services, our regular 10am Holy Communion, and a special Sung Eucharist at 7.30pm.  The Imposition of Ashes is when a cross of ash made from last year’s Palm Crosses is placed on the forehead remind us to ‘remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return, turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ’.  This will be a part of both services for those who wish to partake.

Lent Course – Reading St John’s Gospel

Our Lent Course, led by Fr David will be at 7.15pm for 7.30pm on Thursday evenings during Lent, beginning on Thursday 22nd February.  The sessions will finish at 8.45pm.

Our focus will be on key moments in the St John’s reflective account of Our Lord’s ministry. There is no charge but a donation, from those able to make one, towards heating and lighting, tea and cake would be welcome. Please bring a Bible; Fr David will be using the NRSV.

Appointment of Interim Priest-in-Charge

Following discussions between the PCC, Archdeacon and Fr David, the Churchwardens are very pleased to announce that Rev. Dr David Vannerley will be licensed as interim Priest-in-Charge of St Stephen’s during Choral Evensong on Sunday 21st January.  This very generous offer from Fr David means that we will have continuity and priestly leadership over the next year or so as we look at what the next role of Rector of St Stephen’s will look like and subsequently an appointment can be made. David is, of course, already known to all of us at St Stephen’s and we hope that many of you will be able to join us at this special service at 6pm next Sunday.

David’s appointment is a part-time role which will mostly cover our services on a Sunday and Wednesday alongside occasional meetings and pastoral activities.  Please note that this is not how the Archdeacon envisages a future appointment to St Stephen’s, but simply the time that Fr David is very kindly offering in what is his own retirement.  Thank you, David!

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